MP’s joy as turbine appeal is blocked

MP Sir Edward Leigh has welcomed the Communities and Local Government Secretary’s final refusal of planning permission for a wind turbine in Moor Lane, Caistor.

The MP had written to Secretary of State Greg Clark MP asking him to call in the application for his own decision rather than leave the appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

Sir Edward said: “Local people are best suited to make planning decisions in our towns and villages, and I am very glad that Greg Clark has backed up the informed decision West Lindsey’s planning committee came to.”

“The Secretary of State has used the powers granted to him under the law to determine the course of this application himself, and quite rightly decided in favour of local residents.”

The proposal, by EDP Renewables, called for the construction of a single 102 metre tall wind turbine on land west of Moor Lane in Caistor.

Sir Edward supported residents who were concerned about the impact a turbine would have on Caistor Conservation Area as well as the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Mr Clark felt the turbine would have a ‘significant adverse impact on landscape character and visual amenity in views from and towards the AONB’.

In its appeal, EDP said WLDC’s reasons for refusal could not be supported.It said: “The proposal will not result in a significant effect on the setting of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB, nor will it result in harm to the significance of the heritage assets in the vicinity of the site.”